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Showing 650 posts from Richard J. Durbin.
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- RD
I joined @repbillfoster.bsky.social today for an oversight visit to a shelter housing unaccompanied children. Many of these children have already endured horrors that no child should face and they ought to be treated with dignity and have their case heard before an unbiased court system.
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This is abhorrent. Senate Republicans need to hold a hearing on family detention ASAP.
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- RD
There’s no better way to close out the summer session of the Senate than hosting a constituent coffee with @duckworth.senate.gov to hear directly from Illinoisans about the issues that matter most. Thank you to everyone who came to speak with us today!
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Congratulations to the 2026 graduates of Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Discovering Healthcare Careers program. Fifty students—future doctors, nurses, lab techs, and other professionals—gained a deeper understanding of the incredible job our health workforce does every day.
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.@duckworth.senate.gov & I sent a letter to FAA expressing our concern with their decision to extend the flight cap at O’Hare into 2027, even though runway construction will be done by the fall. O’Hare is the world’s busiest airport & I hope FAA will continue to work with us to ensure its success.
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Article I Section 8 of the Constitution makes clear that Congress, and ONLY Congress, has the power to declare war. Trump decided to go to war with Iran exclusively on his own, and we are all paying the price.
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ICE is wasting its resources. Not another dollar.
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What better way to celebrate National Cheesecake Day than with a slice of Eli’s? @duckworth.senate.gov & I were happy to share some of Chicago’s most famous dessert with my colleagues, & we certainly didn’t mind having a few slices ourselves!
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Today, I introduced the bipartisan Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act to create a pilot program for the judiciary to manage our courthouses and improve security and safety in 10 judicial districts.
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Todd Blanche’s embattled nomination is a crisis of his own doing.
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61 years ago, Medicaid and Medicare were created. Now, these programs help 130 million Americans receive the lifesaving health care they need. Senate Democrats are committed to reversing Republicans’ $1 trillion health care cuts to ensure every American has access to affordable health care.
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We are in the fifth month of the first year of Trump’s endless war with Iran. Now, he is asking for billions of taxpayer dollars to keep fighting, even as this war makes your groceries, gas, and power more expensive.
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Todd Blanche told me privately that the MAGA slush fund he created was a “mistake.” A direct quote. Now he’s lying about it. Todd Blanche either has a short memory… or is lying for Donald Trump.
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Last night, I joined my colleagues to meet with President Zelenskyy at the U.S. Capitol. The tide of war is finally turning in Ukraine’s favor, and Congress must provide them with our support to finally achieve a lasting peace. There is no more time for delay.
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Dr. Fauci is a deeply caring physician, a brilliant scientist, an extraordinary public servant, a humanitarian, and a patriot—whose work has helped save tens of millions of lives. It is a shame to watch him be dragged in front of Congress in the name of bogus conspiracy theories.
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In the aftermath of Watergate, Richard Nixon announced, "I am not a crook." Donald Trump is not wasting his time or breath to even make that assertion thanks to his crypto-enabled corruption.
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The Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation is building one of the most powerful telescopes in history—one that will help reveal the secrets of the cosmos. I was honored to be recognized for my support of this project today, which has brought millions of dollars and dozens of jobs to Illinois.
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Good. Someone who calls law enforcement “dumb as dirt” has no business dealing day-to-day with police departments. It’s clear Kosta Ligris was nominated to a Justice Department position because he was loyal to Trump—not to the rule of law. Put forward a serious candidate.
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Today is Emmett Till Day in Illinois, a day when we remember his horrific murder & the bravery of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, in her decision to open his casket, lighting the flame of the civil rights movement. In honoring their legacy, we must continue the fight for true equality in America.
- RD
Finally the Trump Admin admits what we have long known, that their grant cancellations were not based on “waste” or sound policy but vindictiveness. Americans should never be punished for voting, & it's despicable that the Admin is taking away funding from states that did not vote for Trump.
link:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/business/trump-state-grants-canceled.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
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Todd Blanche is wholly unfit to be Attorney General. You deserve better. The latest.
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Today, I met with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives to discuss the farm bill, the importance of the USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, and the critical role provided by immigrant farmworkers in keeping our farms strong.
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Today, I met with Pastor Jin Mingri, who was imprisoned for 266 days in China for his tireless advocacy for freedom of religion and democracy. It is also long overdue that the remaining eight jailed members of his church as well as Gulshan Abbas, Jimmy Lai, Gao Quanfu, & Pang Yu also be released.
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For 150 years, the Chicago Cubs have been the heart of our city, bringing millions of fans together while delivering three World Series and countless wins. I’m honored to join @duckworth.senate.gov to introduce a resolution commending our beloved Cubbies as they celebrate this historic milestone.
- RD
We are in the fifth month of Trump’s war of choice with Iran, yet Senate Republicans are continuing to give him a blank check to put American service members’ lives at risk. Their refusal to exercise their constitutional duty only emboldens the President’s worst impulses.
link:https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-fall-line-trump-iran-war-despite-rising-costs-us-death-toll
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From Ebola and hantavirus to measles & cyclospora, Trump & DOGE’s destruction of USAID has deeply undermined our ability to respond to disease outbreaks. Their short-sighted cuts are putting lives at risk, & Congress must fight back against the Trump Administration’s assault on our public health.
link:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/22/cdc-cuts-disease-outbreaks-cyclospora-hantavirus-measles
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Haitian TPS holders contribute to our nation every day. Republicans’ decision to jeopardize their protections in the United States is cruel, unnecessary, and will only subject these families to fear and the threat of violence upon their return to Haiti.
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When Secretary Hegseth came before the Senate today, I demanded he give me real answers on the cost of Trump’s war with Iran. As this war drags on into its 5th month, it’s becoming increasingly clear this Administration has no idea on how to bring it to a conclusion.
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Dreamers make America great, and it has been my honor to fight to give them a pathway to citizenship. Today, I joined my House colleagues to officially announce the bipartisan discharge petition for the American Dream and Promise Act. No more delays. No more waiting. Dreamers need protections now.
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The National Academies have been producing valuable scientific research since the 1860s. Trump wants to bury them because their climate crisis research makes it harder for his fossil fuel buddies to win in court. Trying to defund them opens up yet another front in his attacks on American scientists.
link:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/climate/climate-change-manual-national-academy-science.html
- RD
Today, I met with special education advocates from schools and districts across Illinois who are here in Washington for the Special Education Legislative Summit. It was a pleasure to speak with these educators about the work Congress must do to support students with disabilities.
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Trump and DOGE’s rash, incoherent cuts to public health programs are leading to tragically predictable consequences. Americans shouldn’t have to worry whether their produce is contaminated because the Trump Administration fired public health experts and crippled food monitoring efforts.
link:https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/20/health/trump-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-cdc-response-invs
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Before the Trump Administration approved this lucrative deal for the UAE, it should have leveraged an end to the UAE’s reported role in the Sudanese war as well as the release of Emirati human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor.
link:https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-makes-it-easier-export-certain-military-items-ai-chips-commercial-satellites-2026-07-10/
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President Trump and his Republican Party are flailing. They know their MAGA agenda is making life more expensive, communities less safe, and government more corrupt. Tonight’s ‘speech’ from the President is a dangerous attempt to resurrect disproven lies to undermine future elections. (1/2)
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Here’s the bottom line: Donald Trump lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden by 7 million votes. Nothing Trump says tonight can change that basic reality.
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I introduced the Child Marriage Prevention Act to take steps to reduce child marriage across the United States. We must enact this legislation at a federal level to protect the future of hundreds of thousands of young girls who have been stripped of their independence.
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Yesterday, I was recognized by the National Retail Federation in honor of my advocacy for retailers & consumers in Congress. NRF has been a strong ally in the fight against credit card swipe fees, & I hope Congress will finally pass my Credit Card Competition Act to lower costs for Americans.
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Todd Blanche’s slip-up during yesterday’s hearing made it clear where his loyalties lie. He is working for TRUMP—not YOU.
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No member of the Senate would vote for Todd Blanche after meeting with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. Todd Blanche has completely ignored them. His baloney excuses are denying justice for these victims.
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There it is. Todd Blanche is Donald Trump’s lawyer—not YOURS.
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70 million Americans rely on Social Security. But their monthly benefits will be cut by $450 in just six years. We cannot allow that to happen. Today, I introduced the PROMISE Act, a bipartisan measure that would finally begin the process to save Social Security and protect a critical lifeline.
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Sen. DURBIN: What do courtrooms say about unmet security concerns? Justice BARRETT: That’s part of their budget request. They’re in great need. Justice KAGAN: Lower federal courts have some significant concerns. Durbin: Very much so.
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Sen. DURBIN: Tomorrow we’re considering Todd Blanche’s nomination. He has said the courts are full of ‘rogue activist judges’ and the Trump Administration is ‘at war’ with the federal judiciary. That kind of rhetoric is unacceptable on either side of the table, Democratic or Republican.
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Today, I welcomed members and volunteers from @resultsorg.bsky.social to the Hill. I have been honored to work with RESULTS throughout my time in the Senate to fight against poverty & work to protect the right to dignity & a decent life for everyone.
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Trump’s decision to slash the boundaries of Bears Ears & Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments is an attack on public lands. In the wake of these unfortunate reductions, I urge Congress to pass my America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act to protect & defend these lands for future generations.
link:https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2026/07/13/trump-again-dramatically-cuts-size-two-national-monuments-utah/
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I’m announcing today that Liz Oyer and Dani Bensky will be the Democratic witnesses in opposition to Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination.
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I joined @duckworth.senate.gov & @budzinski.house.gov to introduce a bill that that would expand the Gateway Arch National Park into Illinois. This measure will bring economic growth to the region, & I look forward to working with our Missouri colleagues to see this expansion become a reality.
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Some final photos from my time at the NATO Summit, where I met with Secretary General Mark Rutte, Presidents Stubb & Dan, as well as many others. Support for NATO is alive and well in Congress, & I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that our collective security is well defended.
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The people of Ukraine have shown remarkable courage over the past four years in the face of Russia’s unwarranted war of aggression. The United States and NATO must support these brave individuals fighting to protect their homeland.
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Great to meet Hungary’s new Foreign Minister Anita Orbán today who reaffirmed Hungary’s relations with the U.S., place in the EU and NATO, and support for Ukraine.
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